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Outing likely ends Jungmann's second pro season

Outing likely ends Jungmann's second pro season

Brewers prospect Taylor Jungmann reflects on how his time in the Arizona Fall League has him eagerly anticipating the 2014 season

By Adam McCalvy
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MLB.com |

MILWAUKEE -- You can probably tie a bow on Taylor Jungmann's second professional season after the right-hander threw 56 pitches over two-plus innings Tuesday in the Arizona Fall League.

Starting for the Surprise Saguaros for the second time after a groin injury forced a month-long absence, Jungmann was charged with four earned runs on four walks and two hits, including a fly-ball single to left field that fellow Brewers prospect Jason Rogers lost in the sun. Jungmann walked three batters in a two-run first inning that could have been worse if not for a defensive gem from his third baseman -- Rangers prospect Ryan Rua -- retired the side in order in the second inning, then walked the leadoff man in the third inning before that sun-ball single ended his afternoon. Both of those runners scored and were added to Jungmann's pitching line.

According to the MLB.com Gameday readings, 49 of Jungmann's 56 pitches were fastballs (including a handful that registered as cutters) and only one of those pitches exceeded 90 mph -- a first-pitch ball in the dirt to Giants prospect Angel Villalona that followed Jungmann's third walk in the first inning and a visit from his pitching coach. Jungmann threw 24 pitches after that 91-mph fastball in the dirt and all but two were four-seam fastballs from 87-90 mph. None of his 11 fastballs in the abbreviated third inning topped 89 mph.

Scouts had Jungmann in the 91-93-mph neighborhood with the occasional 95 coming out of the 2011 First-Year Player Draft.

Jungmann is 21-16 with a 3.91 ERA in 52 starts between Class A Brevard County and Double-A Huntsville during his two seasons as a Brewers farmhand. He was 10-10 with a 4.33 ERA and 82 strikeouts versus 73 walks in 139 1/3 innings this season with Huntsville. In three appearances in the AFL -- one before the groin injury and two after -- he allowed eight earned runs, nine hits and seven walks in 7 1/3 innings.

If Jungmann pitches again, it would have to be on three days' rest in the AFL championship game on Saturday. He will turn 24 next month and is rated Milwaukee's second-best prospect by MLB.com.

Adam McCalvy is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Brew Beat, and follow him on Twitter at @AdamMcCalvy. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.